Watches Underwater

One of the most misunderstood 'standards' of the watchmaking industry is water resistancy and how it translates to actual situations you (and your watch) may encounter.  We've prepared this brief guide to help make some sense of the system used in rating water resistancy and give you some guidelines for chosing the right watch for all of your water related adventures. 

First, it's important to understand that the ratings associated with watches are derived by testing perfect examples of the watch being rated in a perfectly controlled testing environment (no currents, ideal temperatures, etc.).  It is impossible to duplicate this testing environment in the real world so you need to make some adjustments to allow for all of the variables you are sure to encounter. 

Here are some basic guidelines: 

Any watch with a rating of less than 50 meters should not be immersed in water.  These watches offer adequate protection for splashing but aren't meant for underwater wear. 

Swimming (minimal currents) - A minimum rating of 50 meters

Snorkeling / Open Water Swimming - A minimum rating of 100 meters

SCUBA - A minimum rating of 200 meters

Commercial divers generally use watches rated at 1000 meters which have provisions for the release of helium that may be introduced into the divers environment to avoid air toxicity.

Some other things to keep in mind:

• The crown must be locked down / tightened to keep water out of the case.  If you unscrew the crown of a watch rated at 1000 meters, it's relatively easy to introduce water into the case while washing the dishes! 
• Chronograph pushers should never be activated underwater (a few watches have been designed to allow for the operation of chronograph functions underwater... if you own one... you'll know... but it's still not a great idea).
• To be water resistant all of the seals/gaskets protecting the case must be in good condition and properly set.
• Hot water (hot tubs, saunas, etc.) doesn't do anything good for your watch.
• If you use your watch underwater, you should have the seals/gaskets replaced every year and have it tested for water-resistancy at regular intervals. 

Please feel free to contact us if you have a question or need more specific information.

Check out the latest in unique watch tools, parts, and collectors accessories at the Boston Watch Exchange eBay Store